The Indians are among the clubs with interest in Padres closer Brad Hand, tweets ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick. The Yankees and Cubs are among the other teams that have been previously linked to Hand in recent days.
Cleveland’s interest in Hand comes as little surprise. The 28-year-old left-hander has established himself as one of the game’s premier relievers over the past couple of seasons, and he’s signed to an affordable deal that guarantees him $6.5MM in 2019, $7MM in 2020 and has a $10MM club option for the 2021 season. The Indians, meanwhile, have surprisingly had one of the game’s absolute worst bullpens in 2018 and typically operate on a fairly tight budget, making Hand’s contract all the more appealing.
Of course, that contract and Hand’s excellence dating back to 2016 — 2.66 ERA, 11.8 K/9, 3.0 BB/9, 0.9 HR/9, 46.5 percent ground-ball rate in 213 innings — mean he’ll come with an especially steep price tag. The Indians have shown in the past that they’re willing to dip into their farm for significant upgrades at the deadline under the current front office structure, and a deal to bring Hand to Cleveland would bear similarity to the team’s 2016 acquisition of Andrew Miller from the Yankees (certainly in terms of significance and quite possibly in terms of price point). Cleveland sent vaunted prospects Clint Frazier and Justus Sheffield to the Yankees as part of that exchange.
It’s fair to expect that if the Indians have inquired about Hand, they’ve also spoken to the Padres about righties Kirby Yates and Craig Stammen — each former members of the Indians organization themselves. San Diego figures to be actively listening on all three, after all, and at least in terms of bullpen targets, the Indians have been most prominently connected to relievers they can control beyond 2018 so far. Cleveland is reportedly interested in Baltimore righty Mychal Givens, and the Indians have also been tied to Marlins relievers such as Kyle Barraclough, Drew Steckenrider and Adam Conley.
That said, given the fact that Cleveland relievers have been clobbered for a 5.28 ERA that ranks 29th in the Majors this season, the Indians will surely be exploring myriad options as they look to fortify the bullpen with an eye toward October baseball.
pinkerton
sounds like they need a steady hand.
kimjongun2.0
The indians already showed they can’t win a World Series even with good bullpen
MC77
Correction, Cleveland showed it can’t win with only 3 healthy starters. One of them was Josh Tomlin, with Kluber and Bauer having to go on three days rest.
dixoncayne
If only Carrasco hadn’t been hurt…
kimball0401
Someone give them a Hand
padres_2020
Padres desperately need players who can hit, so I can imagine this trade happening if the Indians gave up Mejia.
Padres2019ha
nice handle,ha
padres_2020
After seeing this year’s team, I should rename myself Padres _2021.
SixFlagsMagicPadres
That’s a lot more realistic. Remember a little over a month ago when people were saying the Padres would be buyers at the deadline? It was pretty comical.
juicemane
In AJ we trust, and I think we need mlb ready position players no more prospects. The triple a team is full
Hand, Yates, & Ross for Salazar++
beersy
Salazar? The same guy who hasn’t pitched all year? I think Preller and Co. should be looking for a better return than that.
juicemane
Um right that’s what the ++ means…just fyi. maybe we could get clevinger who knows but just no more prospects IMO.
We have like 7 guys on the team that need to be sent back down we just have no one to replace them with
bleacherbum
Salazar makes no sense either way you look at it. Indians would be selling low. Padres would be purchasing damaged goods.
Only way it would happen is if he was the Carter Capps in this trade, for those who recall the Padres acquired Cosart, Naylor and Capps from the Marlins 2 years ago in exchange for Cashner. Capps was a throw in reclamation project that hasn’t gone well but Preller took a chance on. Only way I see Salazar coming to SD is if CLE is so sour on him that they use him as a deal sweetener.
For example:
Brad Hand, Craig Stammen and Hunter Renfroe for Mejia, Jones and Salazar.
The Indians get controllable relief pitching that fits their competitive time window and shortens games even more, especially when Miller returns. Renfroe gives them one more right handed power bat to pair with Encarnacion, also controllable.
The Padres get the offensive partner to pair with Hedges behind the plate for the future. Could see Mejia playing the outfield when not catching or when they choose to use Hedges as a battery with certain starters.
Jones immediately becomes the best third base prospect in the Padres system and could keep Tatis at short if he is able to reach the bigs in a similar time frame.
Lastly, the sweetener. If Salazar can return to form, he becomes the veteran number 2-3 this rotation will eventually need, rumors have been is the Padres have called on Michael Fulmer and other young controllable aces. If they can grab Salazar here, he would be the first piece, and then possibly in the offseason the Padres get a package together for someone like Archer, Duffy, Fulmer, Strohman or Syndergaard.
Ross and Richard have been nice mentors but that rotation needs someone who walks the walk.
Phil Smith
Padres aren’t getting Jones and Mejia for Hand+… not a chance in the world. Keep dreaming….
Jones will be a top-50 prospect by the end of the season and is probably the Indians #1 position playing prospect.
SD could get Mejia and maybe a secondary prospect if the Indians get back Hand and Renfroe/Jankowski
Phil Smith
Jones is probably more untouchable than Mejia.
bleacherbum
I didn’t know his stock has risen so much since the last rankings. Even Brady Aiken would be a nice get for the Padres as a secondary piece to Mejia.
MC77
If the Pads insist on Aiken, I doubt that would hold up a deal. He is just a class A lotto ticket, not in their top 30 anymore. If Cleveland gets back two relievers, I think Yates will be coming back with Hand.
juicemane
So if Capps was a throw in…then Naylor and cosart was the prize?…think about what your saying…thats why aj didnt waste time trading Chacin. Why would he? Just to get another Cosart who can’t pitch in the majors or a Naylor? we dont need more prospects/minor league players.
And Jones and Meija might be sh*t dude…everyone was losing their mind over Margot and renfroe last 2 years, how did that work out for us? We need to trade prospects for mlb players from now on imo
alexryanperry
#1 position playing prospect at a position played by Jose Ramirez? MVP candidate Jose Ramirez? Mejia refuses to play anything but C, also blocked by Yan Gomes. They need LHP bullpen help and a right handed power bat. Padres need more quality bats, worst OPS in the majors two years running now. A trade makes sense for both teams.
Phil Smith
Jose is a 2B my dude…
It’s Kipnis who can’t play anywhere else so Jose moved for the betterment of the team
indiansfan44
I wouldn’t really say Gomes is blocking him as much as the team is not willing to accept that Perez is not working out as backup anymore. Also it’s true Ramirez is playing 3rd now but by time Jones is MLB ready Kipnis will be gone and they can just slide Ramirez to his natural position.
That said I actually agree with you. I would be fine giving them both up if it could help fill the massive holes in the outfield and pen now instead of having to do it all in the postseason.
bleacherbum
I respect that. I love the Padres more than anybody. I can’t wait until they are successful again, I want them to acquire mlb players and I always try to remain optimistic that they will do that but it never seems to be the case, ever.
But what we haven’t had is guys that have been able to bring back the type of player that Brad Hand would. Tatis is already the most polished prospect the Padres have had in the last 2 centuries. They can add another one by dealing Hand, they can’t pass up on that opportunity. Depth Depth Depth. Tatis could blow his Achilles tomorrow and never be the same. (Knock on wood) and if that ever were to be the case it would be nice to say, “well you know what? Let’s just turn to another top 20 prospect in Mejia. He and Tatis together in the middle of the lineup would be nice.
The-Beast
Jones won’t be a top 50 prospect unless there’s a dramatic shift in the value of 1B/DH.
Cameron C
Can Mejia play third? Because Padres are content for the future with Austin Hedges behind the plate. Middle infield will be filled with two stud prospects next year. Third base is where Padres would need him, otherwise Hand will stay in SD. Any trade for Hand, HAS to benefit the Padres- pretty greatly.
padres_2020
He played third in the Arizona Fall League.
bleacherbum
A third baseman doesn’t have to be acquired in this deal. The Padres are likely to make multiple deals prior to the deadline, they will get someone who can play some 3B in one of the deals you would have to figure.
I like Mejia because on days the Padres want to start Hedges you can just slide Mejia out on the field somewhere where he isn’t a liability. Having your backup catcher being able to play multiple positions essentially gives you an extra roster spot, so many teams let that spot rot for the 38 year old backup C that plays once every other week.
Moustakas and Donaldson are free agents at years end in which neither seems to return to their current teams, Moose might want to reunite with Hosmer on the west coast. He could play against RHP, Villanueva against LHP.
jbigz12
Hedges can’t hit the side of a barn. Mejia would make him a backup in no time at all. Mejia has versatility so hedges could grab more starts than a normal backup. If you want a no stick defensive catcher than hedges is your man.
Padres2019ha
Hand+Yates+Gettys(Rule 5 eligible)for Mejia and McKenzie. Who says no?
Polish Hammer
Me and every Tribe fan. Bad enough to cough up your #1 prospect but not #2 as well. No way!
RedRooster
McKenzie and Mejia are good but them being your #1 and #2 prospects means absolutely nothing. The package Padres2019ha suggested would have no problem getting say, the Royals’ top 2 prospects if they were actually interested in trading for Major League relievers.
murphy
Redrooster strikes again about how prospects mean nothing.
Get something new.
jbigz12
Thanks.
RedRooster
Please point out where I said prospects mean nothing. I actually think quite the opposite. Just pointing out that saying “They are our #1 and #2 prospects” doesn’t mean anything because some teams have stronger farm systems that others. The Padres, for example, have about 6 prospects that are better than any of the Royals’ prospects.
YourDaddy
They don’t like you Ryan. You are right in this case, but they still don’t like you.
padres_2020
I get your point, but McKenzie and Mejia are the #15 and #21 best prospects in baseball — Padres aren’t getting that for Hand and Yates. and a Rule 5 guy.
Polish Hammer
Cockadoodledoo….more like coocoo to think the Indians would offer up both for whatever package he dreams up in his fantasy league.
Friarfaithful117
No way we land both top prospects for just relievers and a suspect OF prospect.
saavedra
As a Padre fan. I would take it. I think Mejia OR MCKenzie plus more would be a little more digestible for that package. But I wouldn’t undervalue either Hand or Yates, especially Yates this year. There is value in those two.
juicemane
Go back and look at every teams number one prospect over the past 15 years…not that much production. Oh there will be the lottery tickets but thats about it…very small percentage ever become marginal players
Michael Chaney
The Indians. I’m sure they’d be willing to give up Mejia for the right price so it wouldn’t surprise me if he’s part of something, but I doubt they’d trade him and McKenzie in the same deal (their system is fairly top-heavy, so I’d be surprised to see them deal both of them).
longlivethechief
That’s gonna be a no.
sufferforsnakes
Hehehehe…….no. Oh, and no, heck no. Absolutely, unequivocally no. Even plain old no.
padres_2020
I hope it happens, but I don’t see the Indians doing that. Maybe Hand + Renfroe for Mejia and a mid-level prospect. Then you could package Ross + Yates to another team.
Padres2019ha
Gettys is a toolsy prospect, Yates has 3+ years of control at minimum which could be enough for McKenzie. Hand is worth Mejia straight up. But I would throw in Renfroe or a lower top 30
Thomas.Swanson
New screen name, same dumb post
sufferforsnakes
But….but….but….you haven’t changed your name.
Padres2019ha
who are you referring to?
Thomas.Swanson
You
Padres2019ha
Always had the same screen name sport. Not sure who you think I am? Wescoastryan maybe? And my post was a legit trade proposal. But you can keep your prospects and I’ll keep my all star closer. chump
YourDaddy
WTF are you talking about? Preller is asking for a better return for Hand than he did last season when he was asking for guys like Acuna, Robles, or Torres as the headliner of the deal. Hand alone will get the Padres Mejia +++. The Padres are reportedly asking for a top 100 prospects plus other prospects for Yates. What makes you think that the Padres would give up BOTH Hand and Yates AND Gettys for that little?
Bruin1012
If that is what the Pads are asking for then they will have Hand and Yates too.
Bruin1012
After the deadline.
Bruin1012
And he didn’t get guys like Acuna, Robles, and Torres because that was insane.
RedRooster
Was getting Torres for two months of a reliever not also “insane?”
Bruin1012
Yes it was special circumstances though not likely to happen again Cubs truly went all in and determined that was there critical need. Also as crazy as it sounds he was kind of blocked with the Cubs so they were dealing from a position that they were strong at short and second and third which is where Torres could play.
RedRooster
And Preller is waiting for someone to have a critical need and go all in. Otherwise he will simply keep Hand. No reason the Padres can’t contend during the duration of his contract.
Also, a player of Torres’ caliber wouldn’t be “blocked” on any team.
Bruin1012
Said he was kind of blocked he was definitely not helping the Cubs the year they needed Chapman. Like I said special situation unlikely to be repeated anytime soon. Also Hand isn’t Chapman. It is perfectly logical that Hand stays with the Pads I’m just saying if you are expecting that type of return then he will remain a Padre which I don’t think is a bad idea.
RedRooster
Yeah, he’s not Chapman. One is signed for 3 years at below market value. The other was a free agent at the end of the year and had zero intention if signing an extension.
Bruin1012
And is arguably the best closer of the his time, between him and Kimbrel, and the other is well… not.
downsr30
If that is your logic, those same Cubs gave only an injury-plagued and unproven outfielder for a full season of an extremely successful closer in Wade Davis.. 2016 was a special circumstance.
Bruin1012
No my logic is Hand isn’t anywhere near as good as Chapman not even close and the Cubs we’re willing to pay a premium period and guess what they ended the longest WorldSeries drought guess they made the right choice. Hand isn’t getting someone the caliber of Torres.
RedRooster
They made a terrible choice. They could have gotten Chapman without giving up Torres. Yankees had to trade Chapman and no one else offered anything even close.
Bruin1012
They won the World Series so I think it worked for the Cubs.
Bruin1012
The current Cubs second baseman is pretty good too as a matter of fact he was in the game tonight.
RedRooster
Could have gotten Chapman without giving up Torres. Who offered anything even close? The Yankees weren’t just going to not trade Chapman if they didn’t get Torres.
Padres2019ha
Mejia is not an elite prospect, not is McKenzie. Very good, yes. There are maybe 5-7 blue chip prospects. Vlad Jr, Tatis, Jimenez etc.
Bruin1012
Is that a fact? I’m glad you have direct contact with Cashman Rooster and knew that he would of taken less. I guess Theo blew it.
Padres2019ha
Truly went all in?? What kind of explanation is that? “Oh, I’m truly all in, so let’s do something insane and trade arguably the #1 prospect in baseball for 2 months of Chapman.” You HAVE to overpay for difference makers, w cheap controlled salary. Mejia and McKenzie most likely will NEVER be all stars, let alone average ball players.YOU DONT TRADE ALL STARS W THAT CONTRACT FOR ANYTHING LESS THAN A TOP 20 PROSPECT.
Padres2019ha
It’s not,and he’ll still have 3 years of control this offseason
RedRooster
Yankees weren’t contending that year and Chapman was going to be a free agent. They had to trade him. All the Cubs had to do was offer more than anyone else and offer more than the comp pick the Yankees would have gotten if they QO’d Chapman. Who else offered anything close to Torres for Chapman? If no one did, the Cubs could have gotten him for less. You don’t need to have any kind of contact with Cashman to realize this.
Bruin1012
And yet one of the smartest GM’s in baseball did trade Gleyber. I’m guessing it wasn’t as simple as that but hey you keep believing what you want. I choose to believe that one of the smartest GM’s around knew what he was doing and exactly what it would take to get Chapman.
RedRooster
So you’re saying they had to give up Torres to get Chapman? Ok then. If the Cubs hadn’t offered Torres, who would Chapman have been traded to and for what? And are you saying the Cubs couldn’t have beaten that without giving up Torres?
padres_2020
Sounds like you’re trolling. Two top 25 prospects are an enormous haul for any team.
Gobbysteiner
He might ask, doesn’t mean he’ll get. There’s a reason acuna or Torres weren’t traded for hand
Padres2019ha
Guys, Mejia and McKenzie are NOT elite. They are very good “prospects”. We, as a whole, need to stop over evaluating prospects. Only 1 out of 10 top 50 prospects turns out to be anything close to an all star. Brad Hand, is a legit all star. And a top 5-10 closer in the league, that is left handed, never been hurt, not much mileage since he bounced around for most of his career, and controlled for 3+ years for cheap. That is wayyyy more valuable than any top prospect. I think we’ve been spoiled by Soto and Torres recently. Yates himself is controlled for 3+ years, and could be the next Hand. He is a top 10 reliever this year, and will only build value next year when he is the Padres closer next year.
Gobbysteiner
He’s nowhere near a top ten reliever this year. He is good yes, but he’s not netting two top 30 prospects.
SixFlagsMagicPadres
In all seriousness, this would be a good pairing. Having Hand in their bullpen for when the postseason comes around would be a boon for Indians. I could see the Padres asking for someone like Mejia, with maybe a lower-level lottery ticket tacked on.
sufferforsnakes
Maybe they’d take Michael Martinez as a PTBNL?
Thomas.Swanson
Indians won’t part with Martinez
partyatnapolis
tito sure won’t
Polish Hammer
Just give it a few more weeks when you see Almonte in LF, Austin Jackson in CF and Martinez in RF for the Tribe.
sufferforsnakes
Just stop it. That’s cruel and unusual punishment.
padreforlife
Yea because Hand has so much experience in postseason lol
Michael Chaney
As a Padres fan, why would you nitpick your biggest trade asset?
RedRooster
Because he’s not a Padres fan
padreforlife
Just being realistic, Hand has given up 9 earned runs last 16 innings and has zero postseason experience. Hand is good but like always Padre fans overvaluing him
padres_2020
I would be fine with a top 30 prospect in exchange — a Mejia, or a Yordan Alvarez from the Astros. I know Preller is demanding more, but I suspect he will have to give in at some point. Otherwise he will end up with nothing. I would love to be proven wrong though. Padres fans could really use some good news.
Houston We Have A Solution
9 earned runs.
Also struck out 24 batters in that 16 innings and only walked 1 batter. Funny how you missed the fact hes missing bats- showing great command by only walking 1 person.
Keep up. Try harder.
RedRooster
Alvarez is overrated and would just be blocked in the Padres system. Hand to Astros starts with Whitley.
Considering Hand is controlled for 3 years after this one, no. Preller will not end up with nothing if he doesn’t trade him.
padres_2020
We aren’t getting Whitley — the best pitching prospect in baseball — for a reliever. Don’t kid yourself about this.
thegreatcerealfamine
“Don’t kid yourself about this” why not he does it with everything. Do you Padres fans actually claim this guy?
SixFlagsMagicPadres
The trigger is going to have to be pulled at some point. Preller is likely not going to get back what he’s asking for. At the same time, maybe they can get more than what we are suspecting. The most important thing is that they shouldn’t be holding onto Hand too long and risk having his value decrease. They’ve been burned like this multiple times in the past and to do it again in the midst of their rebuild would really aggravate the fans. If Hand is not traded by the deadline, then he has to go in the offseason.
Priggs89
22 strikeouts in the last 16 innings, not 24. He has also given up 17 hits, hit 4 batters, and opponents have an .881 OPS against him in this stretch.
I know you want to try to take some positives out of this to make you feel better, but he has been pretty awful recently.
Side note – Less than 0% chance the Padres could get Whitley for Hand. The Astros are nowhere near desperate enough to make a stupid move like that.
RedRooster
Then they will keep him.
Priggs89
That is certainly an option.
RedRooster
No the trigger is not going to have to be pulled. You act like he’s a rental. He’s not. Padres control him through 2021 at well below market value.
ryanexpress
I mean this with all due respect, but you are an idiot. It makes sense to want to max out a trade value when you have a controllable asset, but you are an idiot. The problem is that Preller is clearly poor at prospect evaluation, and judging by your comments, it seems that the trait has trickled down to the fan base. At the end of the day, the Padres need a stronger foundation. Trade the relievers and get something – anything! What good is a closer when you lose as many games as the Padres have been losing?
MC77
I don’t agree that Preller can’t evaluate prospects, the Pads have a top 3 system. You are right on with the rest of your post. When a team is in the process of building, cash in your relievers, it is the most volatile position.
lowtalker1
You do realize that Chapman has a grand total of 3 innings over 2 years in the playoffs for the reds and they weren’t good
Look at what he got
SixFlagsMagicPadres
The guy is a troll. I’m sure he’d find something else to gripe about.
RedRooster
Don’t think he’s even smart enough to qualify as a troll
lowtalker1
youre a troll. im a bitter padres fan that looks into everything
lowtalker1
dumb. dude
User 589131137
It seems like the Yankees are doing nothing more than driving up the prospect price for other contenders…
baseball1600
Indians get: Francisco Cervelli, Felipe Vasquez. Pirates Get: Francisco Mejia, Brady Aiken, Shane Bieber, Josh Tomlin, Ryan Merrit.
TheIncident
Pirate fan? Bieber is younger, cheaper, and a more valuable pitcher than Vasquez. Then you add in 1.5 years of 32 year old Francisco Cervelli for their #1 prospect?
indiansfan44
This is a joke right? Beiber and Mejia are both more valuable than Vasquez. Plus why would the Indians trade for a catcher when they have 2 under control already.
tribefan13
Why would Tribe want Cervilli?
Polish Hammer
The Tribe get all of that? Really? And you get off the crack pipe…
Gobbysteiner
LMFAOOO
sufferforsnakes
Did you forget to take your meds again?
aaroncook05
Are you drunk or something bc that’s the worse deal I’ve ever heard
believeland
Why would the Indians want to do that?
I’m not against Vazquez, and Dickerson is interesting, but I wouldn’t touch Cervelli…well period. And Bieber is untouchable at this point.
hamelin4mvp
Every team has interest in a cheap, dominant reliever under contract. You could replace Indians with 29 other teams in the headline and it would be true.
Friarfaithful117
I would look at maybe Nolan Jones, Willi Castro, Yu-Cheng Chang, and one lottery ticket prospect for Hand. I would love Mejia or McKenzie but I don’t think they will get moved. Bieber is already performing well in the bigs and I can’t see him being moved for a reliever.
baseballanalytics
At this point, I dare to say Bieber has more trade value than the top relievers on the market, even despite such a small sample size in the bigs. Starting pitching is crazy valuable these days.. But with that said, the Padres adding to a Hand package from their rule 5 potential targets could entice the Indians. This scenario reminds me of the Tigers weighing a Fulmer trader during his rookie season. After seeing Bieber pitch during my days working at UC Santa Barbara’s baseball program, I was convinced he would have a fruitful major league career! Could be a unique way of getting the Indians on track for the WS again, but at a large risk/cost for sure.
sufferforsnakes
Not a friggin chance of all them for Hand.
Friarfaithful117
The best comp for a trade for Hand would probably be the Ken Giles trade in 2015. Typically relievers have higher value at the trade deadline. Giles had more years of control (via arbitration) but Hand has a better track record, more durability, and cost certainty with a club buyout. To get Giles Astros sent Mark Appel (43rd rated prospect at the time), Vincent Velasquez ( graduated as 74th rated prospect), Derek Fisher (37th overall pick in 2014), Thomas Eshelman (2nd round in 2015), and two extra prospects (Brett Oberholtzer and Harold Arauz). In contrast Nolan Jones is barely in the top 100 and the other two prospects are good but not compared to what the Astros gave up.
Polish Hammer
No.
Gobbysteiner
And that trade was a massive failure. You need to understand, they aren’t gonna be using failed trades as measuring sticks for what you can get.
Gobbysteiner
Also Derek Fisher was never traded, don’t know where you got that
jbigz12
It was Appel or Fisher and the phils picked the former #1 pick. Not a good choice. Prospects rankings are nothing but a baseline. There are your elite prospects at the top that can’t be debated but once you get passed let’s say the first 15 or so depending on the year. It’s pretty subjective of where a guy is after that. A guy could be 30 on one list or 95 on another. I think Mejia is in that top group though. If they were able to get him as a headliner for hand and Stammen that’d be a nice return. Indians have some good looking secondary pieces. Pads system is really deep with those kinds of secondary pieces though.
jd396
I love the picture. Hands EVERYWHERE
YourDaddy
I see stupid people. You do realize that Preller asked for Acuna, Robles, or Torres level prospects as the headliner of a deal for Hand last season right? And that he has said he wants a young MLB player this year?
Mejia is not even in the same category of prospect as those 3. They are all 60-65 prospects. He might be a piece in a trade for Hand, but its going to take more. Think about what the Indians gave up for Miller.
Polish Hammer
How many them 3 did he get? And they play a position that. Could be filled easier than a Catcher.
keepinthafaithsd1
Plot twist: Hands trade value went up with the new deal. Pay attention bud..
Gobbysteiner
Hand is not even close to how good miller was when the Indians traded for him. Why do you think Preller didn’t move him last year? Cause he was asking for the moon.
Kwflanne
^yes, yes, and yes. People are acting like Preller WANTS to keep Hand. Ummm no, or else he wouldn’t even be made available. Preller has made it well known that Hand is available. The problem is, he sets the price so high, other teams laugh and say “no thanks”. It’s really that simple. If he was worth what Preller was asking… he would have been dealt by now. Pretty common sense. In my opinion, Preller needs to trade Hand… because he has value, and the Padres have holes they need addresses and are NOT competing this year, next year, and they are HOPEFUL for 2020 (if all prospects have rookie of the year type seasons…). Hand needs to be dealt… but the asking price needs to be more realistic. Otherwise, Preller will just be stuck with an above average (NOT TOP TWO OR THREE) closer, on a WELL below average team. That’s just the reality of it. Again… Hand has value… very good value…. just not what Preller is asking for. That’s evident by the FACT that nobody is willing to meet that asking price
ERLking
WoW JD you are right and I have to (arggg) Hand it to you! The picture is Hilarious! I can just here it, “Can I have a raising of ….. for any other teams interested? Teams that get any if our pitchers should request a years worth of advise from the Padres *pitching coach be included!!!
ERLking
*Darren Balsley (didn’t want to spell Coach Balsley’s name wrong on my prior post).
Armaday
I was hoping the Mets would get Mejia for Familia. It’s not a fine deal yet, still a chance.
Gobbysteiner
Yeah that’s never gonna happen in a million years
progers2622
So a 3.05 era in the Padres ballpark is good? I love the over value of bullpen guys in the MLB right now. You can build a whole new farm system off of some slightly above average pitching. The best part about Hand is his contract. His numbers aren’t crazy good.
jacknbd
Ahh classic. Citing era to gage a players performance in half a year
SixFlagsMagicPadres
Just ignore posts like this. These are likely the same people that still think batting average and pitcher win-loss records are important.
Priggs89
He also has a FIP over 3 and a negative bWAR… What stats would you like to use to gauge his performance?
jbigz12
Lol. How can you rail a guy for using ERA when it’s actually lower than his FIP? The eye test?
Gobbysteiner
It’s just Padres fans are desperate to find any reason to say hand is like the best reliever in baseball when he’s clearly not even top ten.
Psychguy
Dodgers should address their pen; not go after a luxury acquisition like Machado.
mmarinersfan
Who says they can’t do both?
Psychguy
They can. There has been no report about them pursuing it despite a glaring need.
ReverieDays
Hand has a -0.1 WAR this year, he’s hardly been “dominate” and I’d be cautious about trading away too much.
Houston We Have A Solution
He also has 13 k/9- has pitched 44 innings in 30 or so games- an era around 3.
-0.1 WAR for a lefty that can pitch against righties and lefties yeah this is why WAR isnt all that important.
Priggs89
An ERA around 3 isn’t that great… If you really want to use ERA to judge him, he’s the 68th best reliever in baseball (among those qualified). And he’s 124th in LOB%, which is also pretty important for a reliever…
Realistically, he’s a good reliever with a great contract. Talent/performance wise, he’s nowhere near the level of Chapman/Miller when they were traded – not even close. If the Padres are holding out for a package like those, Hand will absolutely remain in San Diego – and there’s nothing wrong with that.
And he has pitched 44.1 innings in 41 games. I recommend fact checking before pulling random numbers out your ***.
Houston We Have A Solution
124th but still holding them on base at a clip at better than 70%
Also weird how you neglected to mention the padres are sporting a -11.7. Dwar from hosmer, -6.1 Dwar from pirela. To sum it up for you the defense behind Hand isnt great on the right side.
But course thats Hands fault Hosmer and Pirela have issues with their defense. Not like that impacts a stat like LOB. Try harder man.
Man how dumb are you btw? Do you not know what the phrase “or so means”. Jesus christ. 30 or so and youre butt hurt over being constantly wrong and not saying exactly how many games he pitched in.
jbigz12
Brad hand isn’t miller or Chapman. If you’re able to get a prospect as good as Mejia for him and let’s say Stammen that’d be a great return. He’s the best left handed reliever on the open market unless Britton turns into the pitcher of old in the next week. He has a team friendly contract. He won’t be cheap but he’s not bringing back a torres or acuna like talent or some other crazy stuff I’ve heard. Getting to control Brad hand for 3 years is Great but he doesn’t provide the same performance Aroldis Chapman or Andrew miller would for the next 3 months. It’s like not getting Machado and being pumped about Whit Merrifield. Sure, he has tons of cheaper control but he’s not the same player either. …..I’m sure it won’t take long until pads fans are all over this.
yes
As is in every season, the Indians gaze longingly towards Brad Hand. .
Houston We Have A Solution
Its simple for the padres.
Trade Hand if you get a deal you like. Dont trade him if you dont.
Ross needs to go. Maybe stammen and yates.
Then revisit trades during the winter with teams that should have traded for hand and were bounced from the playoffs.
ERLking
ReverieDays check your stats… Hands WAR is .6 this year not -.01
Though WAR isn’t everything lol
ERLking
Padresforlife (really???)
Yeah, Hand doesn’t have postseason experience… just back to back innings in allstar games where he was the best pitcher from the national league side both games an inning 1 strikeout no hits no walks. Oh, the only one this year to do that in either league. Hmmm I wonder if the lineup would be tougher in postseason the allstars he faced aren’t that good…righttt. Geez
padreforlife
All Star game 1 inning exhibition nice try
jbigz12
Cmon buddy AS game appearance. Talk about a completely irrelevant performance.
padreforlife
It’s not irrelevant but also with game meaningless not that big deal. 4 blown saves last month and lefties hitting him bigger. Preller overvaluing Hand and now not liking offers.
internet1tough1guy
Cubs get hand and indians get bote and caratini. Padres get a starting 3rd baseman and caratini can be their starting catcher.
Polish Hammer
Really? The Indians now need a catcher? SMH, stick to running your fantasy team.
ERLking
Last comment, the Padres have often brought in Hand before the last inning to face the opponents best hitters, or in pressure situations. I’ve watched games this was done, one interesting one where Yates was then given the closer spot. He is I believe one of the few mostly dominant lefty relievers in the game. Nuff said.
eduardoaraisa98
I want to make a quick comparison between Andrew Miller and Brad Hand.
°Miller signed a 4 year/$36 million with the Yankees on the 2014-2015 off-season.
°He was then traded to the Indians in the 2016 trade deadline at the age of 31 with two and a half years remaining of his contract remaining
°Aquired:
✓Outfielder Clint Frazier (ranked 15th top prospect in MLB by MLB.com in 2016)
✓LHP Justus Sheffield (ranked 78)
✓RHP Ben Heller
✓RHP J.P. Feyereisen.
Between 2012 and 2016 (before he got traded to the Indians) Miller accumulated
*240.1 innings pitched
*allowed 59 earned runs (2.21 ERA)
*379 strikeouts (14.2 SO9)
*81 walks (3.0 BB9)
*147 hits (5.5 H9)
*19 home runs (0.7 HR9)
°Hand signed a 3 year/$18 million extension on the 2017-2018 offseason with the Padres plus a $10 million team option for 2021
*If Hand is traded by this years trade deadline he will have two and a half years of his contract remaining (plus the team option) and will be 28 years of age
From 2016 to 2018, Hand has accumulated
*213 innings pitched
*allowed 63 earned runs (2.66 ERA)
*280 strikeouts (11.8 SO9)
*71 walks (3.0 BB9)
*150 hits (6.3 H9)
*22 home runs (0.9 HR9)
bleacherbum
What I take from that comparison is that Miller is a tad bit better but Hand is half the price. The Indians are the perfect team to acquire Hand because internally they know exactly how much he is worth compared to the golden standard (Andrew Miller) of guys that do what he does.
MC77
Hand also pitches in the NL in one of the top pitchers parks in the game. Hand won’t bring back a second guy as highly rated as Sheffield was at the time.
SD in DC
Petco is actually the 4th worst park for pitchers this year if you look at park factors. 6th worst for HRs. They have brought in the fences multiple times. We need help. Our hitters have been horrid for a while.
eduardoaraisa98
I think if the Padres add Kirby Yates to the trade the could bring back a player like Edward Mejia & Nolan Jones plus other lower prospects.
bleacherbum
I’d want the Padres to go all in with the Indians to meet all their needs and in order for the Padres to get all of theirs in return.
Fix the bullpen and add right handed punch. Brad Hand, Kirby Yates and Hunter Renfroe for Francisco Mejia, Triston McKenzie and Brady Aiken.
The Padres grab the best two prospects in Cleveland’s system in exchange for two elite relief pitchers who are controlled for multiple seasons or through Cleveland’s window of serious contention. Add to that a young power outfielder who has already demonstrated 30 home run power.
Padres2019ha
Yup
alexryanperry
I like McKenzie, but we need more bats; I would tweak the deala and try to grab either Nolan Jones or Yandy Diaz instead. Jose Ramirez has 3B locked down so they may be more motivated to move them.
MC77
I disagree with Bieber being untouchable. Trading Shane would be worth it in a package for deGrom. That said, most Indians fans will side with your opinion.
Polish Hammer
No. Why on earth would Cleveland be in the market for deGrom? They need bullpen help not a starter.
Cameron C
Can Francisco Mejia play third base? Because the Padres are content for the future with Austin Hedges behind the plate. Middle infield will be filled with two stud prospects next year, Fernando Tatis Jr and Luis Urias. Third base is where Padres would need him, otherwise Hand will stay in SD. Also, any trade Padres will make dealing Hand, will need to benefit them greatly.
padres_2020
Mejia has played 3B and LF in the past. He would prefer to be a catcher. As for Hedges, I doubt fans will be content if he continues to hit so poorly. Mejia gives the Padres a lot of options, it would be great to have him.
eduardoaraisa98
Hedges is one of the best defensive catchers in baseball. The Padres aren’t really concerned if he can hit or not
padreforlife
Really? He can’t throw to 2nd base how many errors?
padreforlife
5 errors in 38 games is that new age defense metrics that says he’s good?
eduardoaraisa98
2017 Defensive: 37% CS (26/71), 20 DRS, 9.0 DEF, 18.1 Framing RAA
padreforlife
Ok and that means 5 errors are?
eduardoaraisa98
Buster Poseys 2017 Defensive: 38% CS (22/58), 2 DRS, 9.1 DEF, 1.6 Framing RAA. Idk if you watch baseball or anything, but Austin Hedges was injured for more than half of the season. If you understand baseball, then you would know that not all players perform the same right after they get off the DL, it takes time for some to adjust. Go away you troll!
padreforlife
Buster Posey older and been where he’s going has his 3 rings. That’s your comparison?
eduardoaraisa98
Omg you’re a troll bro just leave this website. now you’re trying to justify Hedges not being such a great catcher because he’s 30 tyears old…which in baseball it’s most players peak years and also because he happens to win a WS? Do you even watch baseball? He didn’t win the ring alone, he just happened to be in a good team. How about just you delete your account and do a little more reaseaech before you come here and comment lmao!
eduardoaraisa98
*Because Posey is older (30years old) and Hedges is younger.
padreforlife
Hedges has been hitting
alexryanperry
I love Hedges and his defense but he just can’t get on base; I would take Mejia in a heartbeat, even if we just let them platoon and compete.
ERLking
He is learning, I copied some of his information from Cleveland’s top 30 report:
After catching almost exclusively during his first four seasons, Mejia spent the entire AFL working at third base, where he compensated for raw footwork and actions with his cannon, plus-plus arm strength. While the Indians haven’t yet given up on Mejia as a catcher, it’s clear that they are eager to improve his defensive versatility, with the ultimate goal of getting his bat into the lineup regularly in 2018.
ERLking
Some other information on him:
Team: Columbus Clippers (AAA) ETA: 2018 Position: C/OF Age: 22 DOB: 10/27/1995 Bats: S Throws: R Height: 5′ 10″ Weight: 180 lb. Signed: July 7, 2012 – CLE Other Lists: Top 100 Prospects (#15), Top 10 C Prospects (#1)
all in ad
Padres are rarely ahead in ninth inning….why do we need stud closer? Trade Hand.